Man of the moment: New Zealand's Conrad Smith reacts to scoring a try. Photo: Reuters

A relentlessly clinical, six-try performance from the New Zealanders brought the hopeful start to the McKenzie era to a screeching halt, Australia going down 47-29 in front of a shell shocked 68,765-strong crowd at ANZ Stadium.

A last minute try to five-eighth-turned-winger James O'Connor, and a breathtaking length-of-field effort from halfback Will Genia couldn't disguise the fact the Wallabies utterly failed to make any magic happen in attack.

Cruden continued to peg back his 2013 conversion average, which sat at just 69 per cent after his season with the Chiefs, slotting his second attempt to put the All Blacks in front 10-6.

But Lealiifano had his own kicking average to hold up, the Brumbies playmaker maintaining his perfect Test record to keep the Wallabies in touch 10-9 in the 23rd minute. McKenzie's instructions were clearly to stay in touch. Horwill has been willing in the past to chase the five-pointers but not in this match.

The conservative approach paid dividends for one hot minute, allowing the Wallabies to take the lead for the first time in the match with a 28th minute penalty shot in front of the posts.

But Lealiifano's next kick, a pressure-relieving attempt from deep in the Wallabies' 22, was charged down by Cruden. The All Blacks five-eighth - Dan who? - needed only to fall on the ball as it scudded over the try line. Cruden converted to make it 17-12

The All Blacks are expert pressure players. A lesser team would have taken the five point lead and gathered their thoughts. New Zealand came again, spreading it right and left with swarming numbers before captain McCaw threw himself over in the right corner.

Cruden's conversion hit the cross bar but the All Blacks had a 10-point buffer and a considerable psychological advantage five minutes before the break.

It could only be snapped by a freakish individual effort. Enter Will Genia, the diminutive but indomitable Australian halfback who took a brilliant pick-up from flanker Michael Hooper on the Wallabies 22 and sprinted the length of the field to make it 22-19 after the conversion.

But the All Blacks are professionals if nothing else, squeezing another three points out of the half before trotting in to the sheds 25-19 in front.

There was urgency in the gold jersey after the break but more of the same errors in attack prevented them from scoring anything but a three-pointer until the final bell.

Jesse Mogg had a difficult time of it at fullback, failing to tackle veteran centre Conrad Smith as he charged at the line for the All Blacks' fourth try.

Mogg was hooked immediately, Tevita Kuridrani taking the field and James O'Connor moving to fullback in the back line reshuffle.

Ben Smith struck for his second try of the match after the Wallabies were out-wrestled at scrum time. Cruden botched the conversion but the Kiwis were 15 points in front.

There was no match-saver this time. Not even Quade Cooper, who was sent on for Toomua in the 60th minute.

Ben Smith's third of the night sounded the death knell for Australia, despite O'Connor's try on the bell. It won't be any easier for the Wallabies in Wellington next week. McKenzie will run his eye over his selection sheet in coming days and decide whether Saturday's performances merit a second chance next week.